YIELD AND COST OF PRODUCTION 105 



The variations in these accounts suggest the difficulties inci- 

 dent to obtaining reliable figures. The cost of production varies 

 at different times and on different farms. In most cases it is 

 impossible to give a reliable average, for the statistics are want- 

 ing. According to the table, Argentina can raise an acre of 

 wheat at the same cost as that of the Red river valley in the 

 United States. The average cost of raising an acre of wheat in 

 Russia is about $8. 



There are also many accounts of the cost of raising wheat 

 which are not itemized, and consequently still less reliable. In 

 the United States cost varies greatly in different sections. In 

 Washington it is from 20 to 35 cents a bushel. In Oregon 20 

 cents is recorded. It is not likely that this price can include 

 interest on capital, in any section. In North Dakota 50 to 54 

 cents is the cost; $5.72 per acre is also given for this state, not 

 including interest on land. The running expenses averaged 

 $3.77 in South Dakota from 1894 to 1900 inclusive. The total 

 expense in Minnesota is $6.40. 1 In the early nineties the ex- 

 pense of raising an acre of wheat was $7.50 in Arkansas, from 

 $6.13 to $10.32 in Nebraska, and $10.38 in experiments in Wy- 

 oming. Where wheat was the sole crop, $10 was given as a 

 total average cost per acre in the United States on a farm of 

 160 acres in 1882. It is claimed that the shores of the Great 

 Lakes could raise wheat at 15 cents per bushel before 1850, 

 while the river counties of Illinois raised wheat for 30 cents, 

 including hire of land and all expense. 



The cost of raising a bushel of wheat in England was given as 

 $1.76 in 1821 and $1.45 in 1885. In the black-earth region of 

 Russia the cost of producing wheat, including rent, was said to 

 range from 35 to 73 cents per bushel during the last part of the 

 nineteenth century. In the first quarter of that century the 

 cost, exclusive of rent, was given as 97 cents. The average cost 

 in Russia during the years 1899 to 1903 inclusive, not including 

 expense of rent and seed, varied from 34 to 48 cents per bushel 

 for spring wheat. 2 Poggi says that the cost of a bushel of 

 wheat in Italy is 69 cents, its production being at a 

 loss. He criticises others who state its cost as only 44 cents, 

 and who say that it can be profitably produced. 3 In Hungary 



1 Indus. Com., 10:ccxv. 



2 TJ. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Sta., Bui. 42 (1906), pp. 85-6. 



3 Atti del Institute Veneto, etc., Tomo Ivi, 7th s., T. ix. p. 723. 



